MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2012

Ryker and I packed up and headed to San Antonio for a long Memorial Day Weekend this year. Nick traveled to Las Vegas to spend a long golfing weekend with his dad, step-mom, and brothers. So what else were Ry and I to do? :)

We headed into SA with plans for every day we were there. We were able to go visit Barbara's house (Maya's mom) since that is where the Bradens were staying until their house was available. It was so great to see Barb, and I really had a fun afternoon over there. I think we spent the next day doing some shopping with my mom and Val. Friday we all took Ry to the SA Zoo...including my dad. Val's friend Ashley came too, and we meet up with the Bradens (minus Maya who was sick) and half of the Cadgers. We had a wonderful time. It was pretty hot, and Ryker was definitely ready to head out by naptime. He slept great that afternoon!

Saturday was a laid back day because Val and I were relaxing before we went downtown to celebrate Jaylyn's birthday at Howl At The Moon. Nick got us a hotel room on the Riverwalk with his Marriott points so we could really enjoy ourselves and stay the night. I HAD SO MUCH FUN that night! I haven't been out to a club since Ryker was born, and I needed a night out so badly. I always love hanging with Val, but I had an amazing time with so many great people. I LOVED IT! :0

Sunday was another laid back day. We were fairly sleep deprived from Saturday night, and I really wanted to spend time with the Ry man. We were able to watch a SPURS playoff game that night with my dad which was really fun since it hardly ever happens anymore.

Ryker and I headed home on Monday morning, and we spent the rest of the day with Nick. It was a really fun long weekend for all of us. I loved it!

My poor Dory baby got bit by a rattlesnake while we were visiting. I think it was Wedensday evening. She found the snake in the garden at my parent's house, and luckily, their neighbors were outside and saw the whole thing. My dad helped me take her to the vet, and she was treated quickly with anti-venom and many other meds. She was feeling better by the next morning (eating and drinking), and she was almost back to herself in a week. Thank God for modern dog medicines!

 

July SA Trip

Ryker and I visited SA again at the beginning of July. We went to attend my friend Carmen's son's (Andres) birthday party on Saturday. He turned 4. GOSH...time has flown! Andres was born like a couple months after we moved here. Seems like it wasn't that long ago.
Friday night Jaylyn and I decided to hang out since I had a good babysitter...AKA my mom...at my disposal. We went to "Savages," and it was so fun. The movie was GREAT! We got to visit & talk on the way and on the way back. It really felt like old times. :)

Saturday my mom, Val, and I went to the Forum for some shopping and out to lunch. It was a nice morning, and I know Ry loved being the center of all the attention. He has more fun out shopping with us than we do I think. Once we got back, Ryker went down for a nap and so did we. Val, Ry, and I went to the birthday party that evening, and we had a nice time. Andres looked so handsome (and BIG), and all the kids seemed to have a wonderful time. We put Ry in the bouncy house a couple times. He didn't really know what to do. It was funny. I wish I could have visited with Carmen some more, but she was very busy. There were a ton of kids there! Ryker got to watch his first pinata bashing, and he thought that was pretty cool. We left before the party was finished (Ry was tired), and we were able to visit some with my Mamaw who was staying the night at my parent's house as well.

Sunday we were able to do a little more visiting with Mamaw and my fam before we headed back to Katy that afternoon. I had a blast that weekend! I love getting to see my friends when I go to SA too. I miss them all SO MUCH! Val - THANKS for coming to the party with me. I love you!

 

"THE LION KING" MUSICAL

Recently Nick and I went to see "The Lion King" musical. We, especially me, have been talking about seeing it forever, but we never buy tickets or have too much going on when it's visiting. Well this year...I wasn't gonna let it pass us up. Especially since I don't work (so weekends aren't a problem) and because Nick and I don't get to go out that often. It was a golden opportunity for some baby-less time.

So...Beth came in after church to watch Ryker for us. When she got here he was still napping. Nick and I left a little after 3:30 (showtime was 6:30 since it was a Sunday) so we could go eat dinner beforehand. We went to eat at Goode Company BBQ which was really good and something different. We have had sandwiches of theirs out at the rodeo, but we had never been to one of their restaurants. It wasn't too crowded at that time either which was perfect since we wanted to get to The Hobby Center early. We'd received e-mails about some road closures and a festival in the theatre district (going on at the same time) that could affect parking there. We were there and inside by about 5:15, and we just hung out and waited for the show to start. Nick bought us a couple drinks, and we people watched. That is always super fun! :)

The show started a little late since it was a sell out and there were a lot of empty seats at 6:30. Once it got going...OH MY GOSH. It was amazing! I have never seen such elaborate costumes! I was in awe. I actually teared up a couple times at the beginning. Such a dork I know, but I couldn't help it. There were performers in the aisle of the bottom level dressed as elephants and birds for the first number. So cool. There were even performers in the balconies on the side to start the show off. Like I said....amazing! The first act was the better of the two I thought, but that's also the act with the most songs we know from the movie. There were a few original songs added as well. They were mostly in the second act. There were performers out in the audience to start off the second act too...even some up in the balcony.
Seriously. If you love the movie, have kids who love the movie, or are just itching to do something different...SEE THIS MUSICAL! You will not regret it. I guarantee it. It was so cool! Definitely something I will take my kids to see some some day. I can't wait to see it again!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

This year for Fourth of July we decided to just hang here at our house. Nick really wanted to do fireworks that night...even though they are technically banned in Firethorne. We invited our neighbors over for dinner and also my friend Brenda and her hubby Brock. We had many traditionally American foods, and I made sopapilla cheesecake for dessert which is one of our family's favs. :) It was really nice getting to hang with everyone as a smaller group. Nick and I took turns watching little man Ry so we could both have some adult time. Once Ryker was down, we all moved out front to the driveway to watch the local fireworks. Nick got to put on his own fireworks show. :) He was so happy. I think we all had a good time, and Nick and I decided to make it an annual thing at our house. Nick even accompanied me to Hobby Lobby the next morning to look for marked down Americana items. We stocked up for next year! Can't wait!

Livingston Trip

We headed up to Livingston a few weekends ago to visit Nick's mom. We left on Friday afternoon when Nick got out of work, and we got there just in time for a delicious dinner. After playing for a bit with Ry, Daddy put him to bed so Beth and I could visit. We all watched some TV before bed. Fun stuff.

That night we were woken up by Ry soon after we were asleep. I'm not sure why he woke up, but he did. I got him to sleep again multiple times, but he didn't want to stay asleep when I laid him down. He was up from about 11:30 to 2. It was a LONG night for me. He finally went back to sleep, and I was able to get some sleep in before he got up.

Saturday morning we all headed out to trade days. It's basically a flea market with some homemade craft type items. I bought a new overnight case and a cart with bag for upcoming craft shows. After that, we headed back to the house with some lunch from Nell's burgers. Beth and I put together some pizza dough for dinner that night too. Once Ryker was down for his nap...Nick and I napped too. We really needed it. Beth and I left after my nap to check out an ice cream parlor/antique type shop in the neighboring town. It was a pretty cool place. I bought a couple gifts in there and some wax for my wax warmers. We also stopped at Dollar Tree and Wal-Mart on our way back to the house. Beth prepared an amazing pizza for dinner, and we all had dinner together. Beth gave Ryker a bath after dinner, and Nick and I worked on making Ryker more comfortable that night. We made sure the bedroom we were staying in was cooler and that the pack and play had some extra padding (we used an exercise mat). We really wanted Ry to sleep better that night. Beth, Nick, and I played dominoes after Ry was down, and it was very fun. I don't remember ever playing that particular game, and I hadn't played dominoes in ages.

Luckily, Ry only woke up once, and I rocked him right back to sleep. Sunday morning we were up early to get ready to attend church with Beth. The church was a lot bigger than I expected. Livingston is such a small town, and I wasn't expecting that big of a place. I decided I would let Ryker go to the nursery. Man...it was SO hard to leave him with someone he doesn't know in a place he didn't know. All the babies are assigned a badge when you check them in, and they will flash your child's number on the screen in the church if you need to come check on or get your child. I was worried most of the time about what Ry was doing and how he was doing in there. The church service was about an hour and 40 minutes, which is definitely longer than I am used to, but it was nice. I enjoyed it, and I was very happy to go get Ryker afterwards from the nursery. Once we were back to Beth's house, we finished packing and had lunch before we headed back home during naptime.

It was a good trip, and we all enjoyed it. Even the dogs had fun, and I know Beth did. We plan on going back in a couple months. Maybe Derek and Amy can join us then. :0

Ry loves playing in this chair when we visit.

Beth has SO many animals that come eat in her backyard. These squirrels were eating birdseed off the ground.

BLUEJAYS!

Our dogs enjoying the couch!